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Social Worker jobs in the UK

Live social worker roles plus reconciled 2026 salary data by region.

11517 live social worker roles

Social Worker salary by region (2026)

RegionSalary range (median)
South West (indicative)
5 live adverts		 £29,000 – £124,500 (midpoint £100,092)
London (indicative)
no live adverts yet: baseline range		 £42,000 – £55,000 (midpoint £48,500)
Midlands (indicative)
2 live adverts		 £35,000 – £57,750 (midpoint £47,875)
South East (indicative)
no live adverts yet: baseline range		 £38,000 – £50,000 (midpoint £44,000)
Scotland (indicative)
no live adverts yet: baseline range		 £36,000 – £48,000 (midpoint £42,000)
Yorkshire (indicative)
no live adverts yet: baseline range		 £34,000 – £46,000 (midpoint £40,000)
East of England (indicative)
6 live adverts		 £23,512 – £71,500 (midpoint £39,550)
North West (indicative)
3 live adverts		 £31,860 – £62,500 (midpoint £38,441)

Methodology: medians reconcile live advertised UK salaries for this role and region; 25th–75th percentiles are shown only where at least 5 live salaried listings back them. They are measured or omitted, never interpolated. Rows marked indicative are anchored to our curated 2026 baseline ranges until enough live data accrues. Listings advertising an implausible annual figure (a mislabelled hourly or daily rate) are excluded rather than converted, because converting one means guessing the hours behind it.

Market view. Newly qualified social workers start around £34,000–£38,000, experienced and senior practitioners sit in the middle of the band and team managers above it (£50,000–£60,000). Agency locum rates of £35–£45 an hour run well above permanent pay. Family support and housing roles are typically £26,000–£34,000.
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FAQs

What does a social worker earn?

Indicatively £34,000–£55,000 permanent, with London weighting and children's services at the top; locum £35–£45 an hour.

Do I need to be registered?

Yes. Social Work England (or the Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish councils) registration is a legal requirement.

What do employers check?

Registration, enhanced DBS, right to work, references and often a practice assessment.

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